CAMHS funding and staffing
Deputy Pat Buckley cites very low satisfaction and staffing rates in CAMHS and asks for full investment in mental health services in the budget. The Taoiseach says additional funding is likely, though further resources will be needed.
Will the Government be seeking an extension to facilitate that?
Comment on this
An independent survey of parents' views on the HSE child and adolescent mental health services was released today. The overall result was an 18% satisfaction rating for CAMHS. Will the Government commit to investing fully in mental health services and CAMHS in the upcoming budget? It is only staffed at a level of 53%. At the current rate, it will be 2040 before it is fully staffed.
Comment on this
That will obviously be a matter for discussion in the Estimates process in the run-up to the budget. However, as is and has been the case in previous years, I am confident that there will be additional funding for mental health services, on which spending has gone up by almost €100 million in the past five years. However, the needs are great and, as a result, further resources will be required.